Gonna buy a good handgun sometime for a shtf sidearm. Which would suit my purposes best for survival/defense: A Glock 17, 19, 21, 22; A Springfield XD 9, .45; or a Springfield GI 1911A1 .45? Any Suggestions/Reviews of good, bad, and ugly?
Now here you've opened a . None of the above for me, I'm going with a wheel gun. (Maybe with a Springfield 1911 backup once I get to trusting autoloaders.) It is the old Ford vs. Chevy (Chrysler products aren't even in the running) question.
I am heavily thinking about getting one of those german ex-military Sig Sauer P225 (P6) 9mm. Can get one slightly used w/ 2 clips and a holster for about 250.00....its kinda a no-brainer...
I'm a fan of the XDs, but in a true SHTF situation the Glocks would likely be more plentiful so parts etc would be more available. Of course that also means that you could use your XD or 1911 until something else became available. And then there's always the "whatever you're most comfortable with is best" option.
If you don't buy at least one of those, in 10 years you'll hate yourself forever, I still hate myself for not buying the H&K P9S in .45 with a 9mm conversion kit that were on offer about 20 years ago, darn, god dammit I hate myself. Tony
BTW., I have a Glock 17 and 10 + mags, I'm not as good with it as I am with a wheel gun, but it's role is secondary rather than primary, although I have a Bubbits stock for it that makes it more accurate, 33 rnd mag on the gun and two reserve 19 rnd mags in the stock make a nice packet, that can be worn on a one point sling, making it very versatile and manoeuvrable in a tight environment. Tony
I am a big fan of the 1911's and the XDs. I went through a couple of Glocks, and I really did not like them that much. The XD fits me a lot better.
Beware most European Surplus Pistols have the Magazine catch on the butt. Different if your not used to it. And the magazines are slightly different.
I am in the same boat. Really not sure whether I should save up an get a USP or XD, and a 1911 (its a must have anyways). Dont forget your Buckmark Everyone. (or 10/45)
I've got the Buckmark covered! For me the choice is easy, I have a G23 LE. Very reliable, very accurate, much more so than any of my wheel guns and ammo can be had about anywhere ammo is sold. It is almost concealable in summer, but fine in cold weather under a coat or long tailed shirt. Not exactly a pocket pistol.
Pistols are one of those very personal things that are very hard to recommend to others or take recommendations about from others... Just too many subtle differences in each. Then there's caliber...has there ever been truly constructive internet 'conversation' that does the subject any real justice? I've yet to see one. All that being said... I hear nothing but good things about the M&P's. If I were adding several new handguns to my collection my first two additions would be a Beretta 92FS(never should have sold the one I had!) and an M&P 9c. My current wunderpistol is my .40 H&K P2000sk. Won't give it up for anything. Pistols are one of those things that you realllllly need to test drive before taking one home. Lol...although, a real gun nut will probably take as many of whatever as they can get their hands on! Byte
if you really want a 1911 with FULL cap. Go for a Para 14 45. thats gonna be my first power house Pistol. (psst. 14+1 mag cap)
OK Here's my 2 cents. I've been a cop in New Orleans for the last 25 years. The last 9 of those in Homocide.. I've seen my share of shootings with all kinds of caliber's from .177 pellet to some monsterous big game gun that was better suited for hamburger or chopped steak. about 7 years ago we had a rapist that raped a 9 year old girl. The perp was soon identified and when he was stopped by a 1 man unit he shot the officer point blank w/ a 12ga shotgun. He was later trapped under a house. After an "exhaustive effort" to persuade him to surrender he was shot 11 times with a .38 and 3 times with a 357. After all of that he crawled out from under the house on his own power and walked to the marked unit and was transported to the hosp. where he survived. He later stood trial. Nuff said for the 38. 357 is a good round, but it travels too fast. I've seen at least 5 people shot with the 357 and still had enough left to harm or attempt to harm the shooter. To me the 9mm isn't much better than the 38 too light. In one case a wife shot her husband 3 times with a 9mm and he strangled her b4 he died. I have never seen anyone hit with 45 get up and walk no matter where they were hit. Many survived, but a hit in the shoulder or leg finished the altercation. For what it's worth that's my opinion. Oh by the way I carry a 1911.
By the way as long as I'm running my mouth let me continue. If you have a pistol and 8 or nine rounds isn't enough to stop the people in front of you that are close enough for you to shoot with a hand gun, Well you need to throw that hand gun at them to slow em down, while you pull your Spas out and tcob. Other wise kysa good bye.
I am a die-hard 1911 man and wouldn't think of not having one as my go to piece but I am also a guitar player and would not recommend most wanna-be players go out and get a Taylor to start with; they're are better, cheaper, easier to learn pieces. Find what suits you by trying them out. A .45 has stopping power but a .22 still trumps a hand full of rocks. When Justin Wilson got asked what wine to serve with that, he would always say" What kinda wine do you got?" Meanwhile, if you come after me with your 26 shot ultra lite-weight .964 magnum plastic Glock, I'll drop your ass with two to the chest cavity and one in the head with my 1911 before the first case reaches the ground.
Welcome to the board Moe! I lived in La. for five years, and worked for about a solid year in N.O., Mandeville, Covington, and Slidell. Any cop that worked in the "Big Easy" has definitely been there and done that. My hat's off to ya. Now, "how's ya momma and them?"